Curb Chemical Weapons

By JASON SIBERT

Human life has become better in so many ways in the last century. nnPeople live longer, science has made wonderful progress in many areas, and women, nonwhites, and gays and lesbians are no longer subjected to the discrimination they once were. However, with the advancement of technology, it’s very important that we use technology wisely. While it has its bright spots, technology could do great harm if it’s used for the wrong purposes. Chemical weapons are just one form of technological weaponry that should concern our country and the international community.

World War I taught the world the horrors of using chemicals against adversaries. However, it was not until 1997 that the international community, including the United States, agreed to outlaw them at Chemical Weapons Convention. The treaty was a success, as 98% of the world’s chemical weapons were destroyed. However, some leaders of rogue states are breaking the norm on these weapons.

Russia has been accused of poisoning Sergei Skripal and Alexei Navalny, opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 17 cases, Syria was found guilty of using chemical weapons, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Some feel that the fear of nuclear weapons dwarfs the fear of chemical weapons, and therefore many don’t fear them like nuclear weapons. However, chemical weapons have the potential to cause much human suffering.

One thing that must be remembered is that gaining access to chemical weapons is much easier than gaining access to nuclear weapons and their manufacturing, handling and use are less technically demanding than that of nuclear weapons. German Commissioner for Disarmament and Arms Control Susanne Baumann recently stated that these factors led to their use recently. Baumann also stated that we must build a stronger international norm against using these weapons, a norm that states these weapons are not just illegal in conflicts between nations, but using them is a violation of international law under any circumstance.

The current tension-filled world makes setting norms hard. Russia recently vetoed several decisions at the United Nations Security Council that would have allowed further clarification and investigation into chemical weapons use by Syria, a Russian ally. However, the OPCW has successfully started to determine whether, when, and where chemical weapons were used in Syria.

While the OPCW has investigative mechanisms available, it has no judicial means of punishing those who violate those norms. Syria has been expelled from the CWC and will not return until they are in full compliance. In addition, the CWC has a sanctions mechanism that can be used against the country. Further action can be taken through the UN framework. A team OPCW inspectors visited Syria last year and found a newly detected chemical warfare agent. The OPCW will visit again this summer.

Unfortunately, the Kremlin has not been held accountable for the assassination of Navalny, and Russia has not cooperated with the OPCW. Baumann admitted to the complications in punishing violators of the arms control agreements. She recommends various international forums working together to enforce the taboo on chemical weapons. This includes organizations like the International Partnership Against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons, the UN International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, and human rights bodies.

There are problems with the OPCW. Several nations, including Russia, replicating its action at the UN, recently accused the organization of having political goals and voted against Syria having their rights suspended under the treaty.

The problem with the establishment of international norms on chemical weapons, and other forms of weaponry, is that the geopolitical tensions that are tearing the world apart are tearing any concept of an international community apart. There’s isn’t an easy answer to all these tensions, although the US must admit that trying to dominate the globe after the collapse of the Soviet Union has caused a power balancing act where China and Russia have attempted to balance our power.

Our country must make it clear, through our foreign policy, that we don’t want to dominate the globe through military force. Then we must form an alliance with other powers, often our geopolitical foes, to keep our differences out of the realm of military action, including chemical weapons!

Jason Sibert is executive director of the Peace Economy Project in St. Louis, Mo. Email jasonsibert@hotmail.com.

From The Progressive Populist, September 15, 2021

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